I am trying to decide if Roadside service is worth the money prior to leaving for vacation this year. It will be about a 3500 mile round trip with our truck and TT. I have looked at all the popular carriers and am having a hard time justifying spending that money when I dont really see what it is they do, that I cant. For example, why wait an hour for someone to come change a flat tire on my truck or trailer when I can do it and be back on the road in a fraction of the time?My truck is new and included roadside service with the purchase. I feel that Im pretty handy and usually fix anything that goes wrong with the trailer like a faulty pipe or other issue like that. Is there something that I should consider that Im missing? For 180.00 I could buy a new tire myself and have it mounted on my rim and not pay the labor costs that the "assistance" people still require you to pay.

Well, if you're sure you can handle whatever may happen - even if it happens 80 miles from the nearest anything - then you should not bother with it. Just MHO...

I guess the other question is too if its something I cant handle like say a spring hanger broke off the frame and needed to be welded back wouldn't I be financially responsible for the repair once whoever arrived on scene fixes it? Labor costs for stuff isn't covered correct? So roadside assistance is just getting someone to you then you work out what to do? Or am I misunderstanding what this gets you

I think pretty much along the same lines as the OP. I make sure the trailers bearings and such don't leave me on the side of the road and I can change a flat in 15 minutes. My truck has towing insurance through auto policy.If the truck had to be towed and they charge me extra for the TT then I'm probably still ahead after not having paid for road side assistance all these years.There will be a day when I'm not so limber though and I may change my ways then.

Last time I had a blowout it was rear drivers side in the middle of a large city on the freeway during rush hour of course. I was glad I had road service.

It's insurance like anything and you never know what's going to happen. Think about this - while on a cross country trip, at a stop we noticed that our exhaust melted the spare mounted under the TV bed. Jeesh, now what we thought - what if we get a flat? Well, I called Good Sam and explained the situation. They confirmed my cell number, hung up, and called back with exact directions to the nearest tire service. We drove there, the service removed our melted spare from underneath in their work yard with the RV still connected, replaced, remounted, and this time back in the bed to prevent that from happening again. To us that was well worth having roadside service. Ours covers all our vehicles and whatever vehicle we are driving so that's al we have. Peace of mind is priceless.

road side service a waste for me? | Good Sam Community

GTO66
Explorer II
Aug 11, 2013
Before I started to travel much I took my chances.As others have stated its the ones that require a tow that will pay for itself.I also have a motorcycle which is covered with the rv plan and I worry more about a flat on that.If my truck was new and I stay close to home for the most part I would probably chance it.
gdavidg
Explorer
Aug 11, 2013
I have a 2010 CTD and a lance camper. GSRA came free for a one year period. this year the truck died and I needed to be towed was towing a boat at the time.

GSRA paid for the towing for both truck/camper and boat. tow operator said the charge was around $600 for both truck/camper and boat.

my auto insurance has towing on it but does not cover the truck/rv or boat towing. the $79/yr was a bargain.
wbwood
Explorer
Aug 11, 2013
We didn't have it a couple years ago. I almost purchased it before our trip to Destin Forida, but decided against it at last minute. Truck was covered with ford as truck was newer. So we are there over Easter. My wife has a habit of locking the door when she unlocks it. Just turns the key back all the way around. She came out of the TT and closed the door. Both sets of keys were in it. Cost us a lot more on an Easter Sunday for a locksmith to open it than a membership cost. Of course ford would not cover it. Lesson learned.
Jarlaxle
Explorer II
Aug 11, 2013
6.7 tow rig wrote:
ReadyToGo wrote:
Well I can say that the OP had his mind made up before he posted.
Myself, I have used roadside assistance a few times. The tows have paid for the cost for many years.
No, RA will not be good for him until he wishes he had it. That might be a few years down the line. Then he will be posting about how wrong he was.
Of all the insurance one can carry, RA is the one that will be used by RVers.

Or not..... hence the reason I posted asking specific questions. But thanks for the useless commentary anyway.

We looked at Coachnet and GoodSam this morning seeing which one offers the best deal. Thanks for all the other replies though, it offered some helpful insight

As you may have surmised by now, this place THRIVES on judgmentalism and personal attacks!
Jarlaxle
Explorer II
Aug 11, 2013
moparmaga2 wrote:
Had a rock go through the radiator in The Yukon Territory in Canada on the way to Alaska.

Anyone want to take bets on how much a 277 mile tow to the nearest town with a Garage (Whitehorse) in the Yukon Territory cost?

Try $5000 on for size

Geico roadside assistance paid for it all. Best $12 per year ($1 per month) that I have ever spent. Of course, you have to have Geico insurance to get this.

Also: it's not available in all states, and it's CERTAINLY not $12 everywhere! (They quoted me $65/year, and that ONLY covered cars!)
bfast54
Explorer
Aug 10, 2013
6.7 tow rig wrote:
wbwood wrote:
6.7 tow rig wrote:
Well we just Signed up for GoodSam platinum plus. Thanks for all the replies. It helped me see some things that I was overlooking for sure

Hope you wasted your money and never have to use it.

Me too

Each year , when the "Bill" came due, for my Premier RVplus, I asked myself, was it worth it............well...................I got the answer in June................. YES.....In a Big way.
6_7_tow_rig
Explorer
Aug 10, 2013
wbwood wrote:
6.7 tow rig wrote:
Well we just Signed up for GoodSam platinum plus. Thanks for all the replies. It helped me see some things that I was overlooking for sure

Hope you wasted your money and never have to use it.

Me too
Ron3rd
Explorer III
Aug 10, 2013
I agreed with the OP until I needed a $600 Tow on a flatbed when my trailer broke a leaf spring. Tow was something like 100 miles or so.

Like the OP, I feel I can fix just about anything on the side of the road and carry the tools to do so when we go on a long trip.

ERS is included in our trailer's policy with Progressive and is not too expensive anyway.
wbwood
Explorer
Aug 10, 2013
6.7 tow rig wrote:
Well we just Signed up for GoodSam platinum plus. Thanks for all the replies. It helped me see some things that I was overlooking for sure

Hope you wasted your money and never have to use it.
MrWizard
Moderator
Aug 10, 2013
it's insurance
if you never get sick, you don't need medical ?

the cost one tow on a week end, or that tire failure on BIg rig

is many times the cost of an ERS plan

Forum Discussion

road side service a waste for me?

About RV Tips & Tricks

Related Content

Portable Waste tank

Portable waste tank question

Doggie Waste Disposal Systems

Waste vacuum pump

Roadside Service